Credit card skimmer alert

[rajak73]

So in this case, the $3 wash costs (using my example) 56 cents, so they are only making $2.44 (Did that with out a calculator too. )

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) One reason we do not have a single DEBIT CARD.
2) We exclusively use credit cards.
3) Plus we get 2% back on charge purchases (which we conveniently reserve for Christmas Gifts).

 

[MrPTato]

1) One reason we do not have a single DEBIT CARD.
2) We exclusively use credit cards.
3) Plus we get 2% back on charge purchases (which we conveniently reserve for Christmas Gifts).

All of this!!!! I made the bank give me an ATM card so I didn't have to worry about a debit card and if I misplaced it. Credit Cards earn rewards and if you lose it or it is skimmed, you aren't out anything. No worries of bounced mortgage payments, bills, etc. Also love racking up the points!

 

[Mad Stitch]

1) One reason we do not have a single DEBIT CARD.
2) We exclusively use credit cards.
3) Plus we get 2% back on charge purchases (which we conveniently reserve for Christmas Gifts).

Same here, I have never had a debit card and will only use credit cards. Additionally I never let anyone (utilities, car payments, etc.) do direct withdraws from my bank accounts. I'm not taking the risk of a typo or buggy programming code draining my account leaving me penniless while the error is corrected.

 

[Sweettears]

All of this!!!! I made the bank give me an ATM card so I didn't have to worry about a debit card and if I misplaced it. Credit Cards earn rewards and if you lose it or it is skimmed, you aren't out anything. No worries of bounced mortgage payments, bills, etc. Also love racking up the points!

Banker here. You have the same protections with a debit card as you do with a credit card. Consumer laws apply to both.

 

[MrPTato]

Banker here. You have the same protections with a debit card as you do with a credit card. Consumer laws apply to both.

I know that...if my bank account gets drained on the same day my mortgage payment comes out, that payment is going to bounce. Now I have to wait the couple days for the money to go back into my account and rectify with my mortgage company on why the payment bounced.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Banker here. You have the same protections with a debit card as you do with a credit card. Consumer laws apply to both.

1) WHOA!
2) Sure, banks can replenish your accounts if hacking or theft is shown, as long as you notify the bank in the permitted time limit.
3) BUT . . .
4) REPEAT, BUT . . .
5) But . . . the process of getting your money back from the bank can take days to weeks.
. . . in the mean time, you have checks bouncing all over the country.
. . . some creditors would forgive bounced-check charges and late charges - many will not
. . . so, you have to pay (maybe) $25-$40 per bounced check, AND a late fee
. . . we haven't even said whether the creditor would report the late payment to credit bureaus
6) Until the bank replenishes your accounts,
. . . you have no access to your missing cash, until the bank investigations are completed.
. . . how many people could exist with no cash or access to cash for this amount of time
. . . I know of no bank that would replenish your accounts based upon a phone call from you
. . . if one does, please let me know the name of the bank
. . . am sure MANY crooks would like to establish an account, then claim hacking
. . . they get their cash back, and an identical amount through the hacking claim
6) By using a credit card, all it takes in one phone call to start the fraud alert working.
. . . the card issuer won't charge you or make you pay for disputed amounts, while investigations are ongoing
. . . the card issuer would re-issue a card with a new number
. . . most can get it to you overnight
. . . you can still use the card, and have access to all your cash
. . . sure sounds better than the alternative

NOTE1: I am not a banker and do not even play one on TV. However, running manufacturing plants we have LOTS of talk with bankers, We do direct deposit for payroll. Some folks wanted us to deposit to debit cards. We refused for the very reasons listed above.

NOTE2: We own many several housing units (single family homes, duplexes and apartments). We do not accept tenant excuses like hacked accounts for late payments or bounced checks. The tenant's responsibility is to get us rent on-time. How they manage their personal finances is none of our affair. If they bounce a check, the fee is $45, plus they get a 5% late fee if the rent is paid after the first of the month. The added cost could be $85-$110. Imagine if the person's other accounts did the same. If the rent comes in 30-days later (after the bank eventually refunds all the cash), they also get a "ding" on their credit report. Sure, the bank gave you the lost money back, however, the person now owes all the other costs.

 

[rajak73]

NOTE1: I am not a banker and do not even play one on TV.

But you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, right?
ETA: I don't use debit cards either on vacation. DW and I just discussed getting a visa with a little money on it for the laundry rooms in 2018 trip.

 

[Sweettears]

1) WHOA!
2) Sure, banks can replenish your accounts if hacking or theft is shown, as long as you notify the bank in the permitted time limit.
3) BUT . . .
4) REPEAT, BUT . . .
5) But . . . the process of getting your money back from the bank can take days to weeks.
. . . in the mean time, you have checks bouncing all over the country.
. . . some creditors would forgive bounced-check charges and late charges - many will not
. . . so, you have to pay (maybe) $25-$40 per bounced check, AND a late fee
. . . we haven't even said whether the creditor would report the late payment to credit bureaus
6) Until the bank replenishes your accounts,
. . . you have no access to your missing cash, until the bank investigations are completed.
. . . how many people could exist with no cash or access to cash for this amount of time
. . . I know of no bank that would replenish your accounts based upon a phone call from you
. . . if one does, please let me know the name of the bank
. . . am sure MANY crooks would like to establish an account, then claim hacking
. . . they get their cash back, and an identical amount through the hacking claim
6) By using a credit card, all it takes in one phone call to start the fraud alert working.
. . . the card issuer won't charge you or make you pay for disputed amounts, while investigations are ongoing
. . . the card issuer would re-issue a card with a new number
. . . most can get it to you overnight
. . . you can still use the card, and have access to all your cash
. . . sure sounds better than the alternative

NOTE1: I am not a banker and do not even play one on TV. However, running manufacturing plants we have LOTS of talk with bankers, We do direct deposit for payroll. Some folks wanted us to deposit to debit cards. We refused for the very reasons listed above.

NOTE2: We own many several housing units (single family homes, duplexes and apartments). We do not accept tenant excuses like hacked accounts for late payments or bounced checks. The tenant's responsibility is to get us rent on-time. How they manage their personal finances is none of our affair. If they bounce a check, the fee is $45, plus they get a 5% late fee if the rent is paid after the first of the month. The added cost could be $85-$110. Imagine if the person's other accounts did the same. If the rent comes in 30-days later (after the bank eventually refunds all the cash), they also get a "ding" on their credit report. Sure, the bank gave you the lost money back, however, the person now owes all the other costs.

I won't take the time to refute your points one by one as I can foresee that it would be fruitless. The process for handling debit card disputes is the same as it is for credit cards. You are obviously banking with the wrong bank if your experience says otherwise. Let me guess its likely a larger regional or national bank. Try giving a local community bank a try and you will be surprised.

 

[wilkeliza]

I won't take the time to refute your points one by one as I can foresee that it would be fruitless. The process for handling debit card disputes is the same as it is for credit cards. You are obviously banking with the wrong bank if your experience says otherwise. Let me guess its likely a larger regional or national bank. Try giving a local community bank a try and you will be surprised.

Even my big national bank treats fraud the exact same way between debit and credit. When my debit card has been compromised they lock the account down and then ask me to come into the location to get a new card or they over night it. Of course that was Bank of America, Chase on the other hand wouldn't even give back money for true fraud that was proven and continued to charge over draft fees. We haven't banked with Chase since that.

 

[tiggerdad]

I won't take the time to refute your points one by one as I can foresee that it would be fruitless. The process for handling debit card disputes is the same as it is for credit cards. You are obviously banking with the wrong bank if your experience says otherwise. Let me guess its likely a larger regional or national bank. Try giving a local community bank a try and you will be surprised.

Okay, let's get the most out of this. I'm also not a banker, but I did play one once in a high school play (back when everyone used cash). One thing I've learned over the years is never turn down a chance to learn something new, or relearn something old (like counting "loud money").

From your experience, and we all value it, what is the best way to handle vacation spending to minimize loss and hardship aka, credit skimmers. Is it best to just use cash, credit card, debit card, preloaded spending card?

Being serious on the education request.

 

[Sweettears]

Even my big national bank treats fraud the exact same way between debit and credit. When my debit card has been compromised they lock the account down and then ask me to come into the location to get a new card or they over night it. Of course that was Bank of America, Chase on the other hand wouldn't even give back money for true fraud that was proven and continued to charge over draft fees. We haven't banked with Chase since that.

In addition most reputable banks run an algorithm that detects unusual activity on debit cards and will stop activity or at least notify you when it occurs. Additionally you can have your bank limit the amount of authorized activity per day or transaction. I've been in banking since debit cards were introduced and I have never seen a situation where an account was " drained" through fraudulent activity. On the other hand I have seen several cases where an account was overdrawn because of a counterfeit check being created and processed. You can't live in a shell.

 

[tiggerdad]

Even my big national bank treats fraud the exact same way between debit and credit. When my debit card has been compromised they lock the account down and then ask me to come into the location to get a new card or they over night it. Of course that was Bank of America, Chase on the other hand wouldn't even give back money for true fraud that was proven and continued to charge over draft fees. We haven't banked with Chase since that.

Interesting. Chase is who Disney uses for their Visa card that I have. In fact, it's the only card I've ever suffered a skimming on but in my case they did correct for the loss and I was only out the time it took to get a new card. I guess it depends on circumstances or who is assigned to investigate it.

 

[Sweettears]

Okay, let's get the most out of this. I'm also not a banker, but I did play one once in a high school play (back when everyone used cash). One thing I've learned over the years is never turn down a chance to learn something new, or relearn something old (like counting "loud money").

From your experience, and we all value it, what is the best way to handle vacation spending to minimize loss and hardship aka, credit skimmers. Is it best to just use cash, credit card, debit card, preloaded spending card?

Being serious on the education request.

I use my debit card whenever I travel which is relatively frequent. While I have never had a problem having a credit card available as backup is helpful. Most reliable banks have a 24 hour hotline that you can call. Despite previous comments banks are obligated by law to refund your money while they investigate once reported.

 

[wilkeliza]

Interesting. Chase is who Disney uses for their Visa card that I have. In fact, it's the only card I've ever suffered a skimming on but in my case they did correct for the loss and I was only out the time it took to get a new card. I guess it depends on circumstances or who is assigned to investigate it.

Sorry should have clarified their credit cards are run fine (we do have a Chase Disney visa) it was the checking/savings that was awful. The investigation was a headache and I think they even claimed there was no proof of fraud.

 

[tiggerdad]

Sorry should have clarified their credit cards are run fine (we do have a Chase Disney visa) it was the checking/savings that was awful. The investigation was a headache and I think they even claimed there was no proof of fraud.

Ah, gotcha.

 

[tiggerdad]

I use my debit card whenever I travel which is relatively frequent. While I have never had a problem having a credit card available as backup is helpful. Most reliable banks have a 24 hour hotline that you can call. Despite previous comments banks are obligated by law to refund your money while they investigate once reported.

Aight, good to know.

Now, if we can just address this whole dang telemarketer crap...

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Now, if we can just address this whole dang telemarketer crap...

1) Alas, there is not enough Pixie Dust in the known universe to cure this disease.
2) I, personally, think it is an advance attack by The Sith.

 

[peg110]

Aight, good to know.

Now, if we can just address this whole dang telemarketer crap...

I have OOMA and it makes use of NOMOROBO which is AWESOME. It blocks MOST known telemarketers. Those that slip though, I can block for "Future" avoidance. Further more, I can choose HOW it responds. You can send them right to voicemail (Yeah, Right... Like I want telemarketers leaving me voicemail... HA!), I can send them a "You are blocked" message, or my favorite, "This number is no longer in service" message. Since I have had this.... TONS less calls. Almost to the point that I wonder why I even have a phone.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Card skimmers are common, they are also pretty easy to avoid. Before using ANY card reader, give a slight pull on the device. Card skimmers are usually placed over a legit reader and are meant to be removed easily. So if a card reader moves any when you tug it, don't use it and notify the merchant. Many card skimmers are attached with 2 sided tape.